Outdoor Lighting in Santa Fe, NM (2026)
2 verified outdoor lighting rules for Santa Fe, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Dark Sky Rules
Santa Fe's outdoor lighting code requires shielded fixtures on most lamp types, bans glare that disables neighbors or drivers, and keeps accent lighting pointed at the building rather than the sky. It applies to every new outdoor luminaire installed on private or city property, including street lighting.
Santa Fe Outdoor Lighting Glare and Shielding Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Fe City Code § 14-8.9(D)(3)-(4) (Outdoor Lighting, General Standards)
(3)All outdoor luminaires shall be designed, installed, located and maintained such that nuisance glare onto adjacent properties or streets shall be minimized to the greatest extent practicable. Disabling glare onto adjacent properties or streets is not allowed.(4)Except for certain structures in the historic districts or landmark structures, which are regulated by Section 14-8.10(H), accent li...
Light Trespass & Shielding
Santa Fe's outdoor lighting code makes light trespass a hard numeric standard, not a nuisance complaint. Section 14-8.9 requires every new luminaire to be shielded and bars disabling glare onto neighboring land or streets, then caps the average maintained illumination at a residential property line at zero footcandles, enforced by the land use director through the construction permit process.
Santa Fe Sets Zero-Footcandle Light Trespass Limit
Some RestrictionsSanta Fe City Code § 14-8.9(A), (D)(3), (E)(2)
The purpose of this Section 14-8.9 is to regulate outdoor lighting in order to reduce light pollution , reduce or prevent glare, reduce or prevent light trespass , conserve energy, promote a sense of safety and security and ensure aesthetically appropriate outdoor lighting in keeping with the character of Santa Fe.... All outdoor luminaires shall be designed, installed, located and maintained s...